Purpose
To advise and provide recommendations to DOH on issues related to the use of vaccines and other medications for the public health response to infectious diseases, and for current management of vaccine-preventable diseases across a person's lifespan.
Rationale
Current clinical expertise and recommendations provided by health care providers experienced in relevant fields (vaccinology, preventive medicine, vaccine-preventable disease management, pediatrics, infectious disease, epidemiology, internal medicine, and family medicine) will provide guidance to DOH and inform the strategic implementation of vaccine usage and vaccine administration at the clinical level.
Description
The Vaccine Advisory Committee is a voluntary, uncompensated body that provides guidance to the Department of Health State Health Officer. The committee advises on clinical issues, including vaccine supply shortages and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The committee meets quarterly. Meeting agendas are provided in advance, and minutes are recorded and distributed.
Location
Meeting room in the Seattle-Tacoma or Tumwater area, or by conference call. Details of the next VAC is available on the meeting page.
Visitor Protocol
This is a public meeting of the Washington State Department of Health. There are approximately 10 minutes at each meeting for public comment. You must register to provide public comment. The conference room for in-person VAC meetings has a capacity limit of 40 people. Visitors may attend on a first come first serve basis until the room reaches capacity.
The VAC asks that visitors observe the following:
- Register prior to the meeting and indicate the agenda item you wish to comment on.
- Please speak only when recognized by the Chair.
- Limit comments to the allotted time. Please note that the Chair may further restrict time allotments if more than five individuals want to speak.
- Please conduct side conversations outside of the meeting room.
- Should visitors wish to distribute materials, bring a sufficient number of copies (25) and place on the designated meeting materials table.
- Designated visitor seating will be marked in the meeting room.
- Lunch is not provided for visitors, but visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch.